A model of psychological preselection is proposed to account for findings of higher psychiatric morbidity among Arts students than in other faculties. The predictions of this model and a competing ‘course factor’ model are tested. Arts students are found to show more evidence of anxiety, insomnia, depression and poorer relationships with parents before academic courses have begun. Some of these differences are found to be constructed from distinct sex‐linked components. Certain aspects of the preselection model were not supported by the findings, and refinements to the model are presented. It is suggested that the preselection may be based on an interconnection between clarity of identity, cognitive style and educational choice. The data also support the view that adolescent ‘storm and stress’ may be the experience of the relat